Kidney Shrinking Causes and Treatment

2013-03-30 11:32

Kidneys can filter wastes and extra fluids from body as well as balance blood pressure and produce essential hormones.However,if kidney shrinking occurs,the kidneys will fail to perform these functions adequately.

Kidney shrinking causes

Nephrons are the basic functional units of the kidneys and each kidney contains about a million nephrons.They are the major part helping the kidneys realize the above functions.However, if the nephrons are damaged,the kidneys will not be able to work normally, resulting in kidney shrinking. Kidney shrinking often occurs among people who have a long history of kidney problem.The causes are as follows:

* Damage to renal parenchymal area where the filtering units are located.

*Renal ischemia occurs when inadequate blood circulate in kidneys. Less oxygen supply can cause the necrosis of kidney tissues, leading to kidney shrinking.

Kidney shrinking treatment

For chalking out the treatment plan,the first step is to determine the underlying cause of this condition.Imaging procedures such as CT scan and MRI can help in the diagnosis of kidney shrinking.The treatment should depend on the kidney damage degree and the causes of kidney shrinking.The treatment goal is to stop further kidney shrinking and protect the residual renal function as well as restore the impaired kidney tissues and improve renal function.

Chinese herbal medicine is recommended to the patients with kidney shrinking.This therapy can help improve circulation and increase blood and oxygen supply to the impaired kidney tissues.Additionally, the herbs are tonic to kidneys and can revive the self-healing system in body. Once the impaired kidney tissues come to fresh and functioning, the kidneys will stop shrinking and renal function will improve gradually.

Additionally,controlling the causes of the kidney shrinking plays such an important role in treating the disease. For example, if the condition is due to reflux nephropathy, surgery may be required.

The above is a brief introduction of kidney shrinking causes and treatment. For more information, please email to kidneyabc@hotmail.com .